Garda Lucy McLoughlin required two operations and missed 18 months of work after the attack by Enda Carroll (23) on William Street in Tullamore.

Carroll, of The Willows, Mucklagh, Tullamore, was found guilty after a trial at Cavan Circuit Criminal Court of assault causing harm, resisting a peace officer and two counts of public order in the Offaly town on March 12, 2012.

Today the court, which was sitting in Dublin, heard that Gda McLoughlin was attacked when she responded to a public order incidence.

Sergeant Tom Dunne told Judge Carmel Stewart that at 1.35am gardaí received a report of men kicking taxis and breaking windows in the town. When Gda McLoughlin went to arrested one of the men, Carroll began shouting obscenities at her and refused repeated orders to leave the area.

Gda McLoughlin approached Carroll and he told the garda that he “would bite her face off”. When she went to arrest him Carroll picked her up by the leg and slammed her into the shop front. He was then arrested by her colleagues.

The garda required extensive hospital treatment to fix a tear to her hip joint and to remove cartilage from her knee. She said in a victim impact report that she suffered physically and mentally after the assault and can no longer play rugby with her team. It was initially unknown whether she would ever be able to return to work but she is now back on duty.

Carroll has no previous convictions but was given an adult caution for an previous incident. His defence counsel said he is now trying to improve his life and is undergoing training to enhance his work prospects.

Judge Stewart remanded Carroll on continuing bail until October while a probation service report is prepared.